Since it was first created 40 years ago, the internet has had a huge impact on the world: it's helped connect millions of people around the globe, reshaped industries and changed the way many of us live and work. But should the internet win the Nobel Peace Prize?
I've just noticed this report suggesting that the net is one of the contenders for next year's prize, along with some other gambles. Since the Nobel committee doesn't actually reveal who the losing nominees are, we don't know for certain, but there's a push initiated by Wired Italia and laureate Shirin Ebadi.
There are arguments on both sides. From the pro-Nobel side, there's the conviction that more communication is better for us all; that it helps erase differences and challenge authoritarianism; and that the network is more important, in a global sense, than the work of individuals – however great it may be.
On the anti-side there are a number of points, too. Some of them – that there are better technologies, and the value of internet in promoting peace has yet been proven – are highlighted by the illuminating sceptic Evgeny Morozov.
I'd also wonder whether the connections that the internet can create are just as likely to encourage divisions – just look at the wide extremes of behaviour on political websites, the insipid sofa activism of Facebook campaigns or the kneejerk reaction of some Twittergasms.
I'm not sure whether giving the internet a Nobel would be an interesting twist, or estimate the net's capacity to solve problems - but if Barack Obama can win the prize without really doing anything, it's surely up for grabs.
